After decades as a destination for crab shacks, Little Italy and baseball games, Baltimore has emerged as a one of the region's most exciting all-around dining scenes.

And winter is a fine time for a four-part exploration of Charm City. (Click here to see the full itinerary--with photos!)

Crab-happy Fells Point is the best new bet for oysters, thanks to the bright Thames Street Oyster House. Across town in Hampden, chef Daniela Useli makes three different béchamel sauces, pairing each to its ideal lasagna at her new namesake takeout restaurant, Daniela's.

Inner Harbor East has been a hub of new restaurants and development, attracting notable names like the Four Seasons and California chef Michael Mina. Also in the 'hood, Lamill, the trendy L.A. coffee roasters, have opened their first East Coast outpost at Inner Harbor East, serving a range of blends brewed with near-scientific methods.

Baltimore has never tasted so good.